The essence of a tacit intersection : a heuristic inquiry into nature-based leisure and personal transformation

View/Open

Date

Author

Metadata

Abstract

There are a considerable number of programs and agencies that count on the
existence of a unique relationship between nature and human development. In addition, there
are significant bodies of literature dedicated to understanding developmentally focused
nature-based experiences. This research project was designed to flirther the understanding of
this phenomenon. Consequently, the purpose of this research endeavour was to discover the
essence ofthe intersection ofpersonal transformation and nature-based leisure, culminating
in a rich and detailed account of this otherwise tacit phenomenon. As such, this research built
on the assumption of this beneficial intersection of nature and personal transformation and
contributes to the understanding ofhow this context is supporting or generating of selfactualization
and positive development. Heuristic methods were employed because
heuristics is concerned with the quality and essence of an experience, not causal relationships
(Moustakas, 1990). Heuristic inquiry begins with the primary researcher and her personal
experience and knowledge of the phenomenon. This study also involved four other coresearchers
who had also experienced this phenomenon intensely. Co-researchers were
found through purposeful and snowball sampling. Rich narrative descriptions of their
experiences were gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, and artifact
elicitation was employed as a means to get at co-researchers' tacit knowledge. Each coresearcher
was interviewed twice (the first interview focused on personal transformation, the
second on nature) for approximately four and a half hours in total. Transcripts were read
repeatedly to discern patterns that emerged from the study of the narratives and were coded
accordingly. Individual narratives were consolidated to create a composite narrative of the
experience. Finally, a creative synthesis was developed to represent the essence of this tacit experience. In conclusion the essence of the intersection of nature-based leisure and personal
transformation was found to lie in the convergence of the lived experience of authenticity.
The physical environment of nature was perceived and experienced to be a space and context
of authenticity, leisure experiences were experienced as an engagement of authenticity, and
individuals themselves encountered a true or authentic self that emanated from within. The
implications of these findings are many, offering suggestions, considerations and
implications from reconsidered approaches to environmental education to support for selfdirected
human development.